Our Story
People participate in the places and spaces where they see themselves reflected. Today, that often starts with representation in digital media. When HBCUs Outside started, we broke stereotypes and inspired underrepresented collegiate youth to get outside for general wellness and to care for our public lands simply by existing in those spaces and sharing our stories.
While inspiring and reflecting diversity in the outdoors is a good first step, we knew those bold new adventurers would need support on their journey. If we were going to increase our impact, we had to do more. By providing resources on how to get outside and access to equipment, by building community around social media narratives, and by involving outdoor brands and partners at the corporate level, we are creating a pathway for sustainable change.
Black institutions are experiencing a cultural renaissance. Whether you are a current student, alumni, or a corporate or non-profit member of the outdoor industry working for a more equitable future, we invite you on our great adventure.
Ron Griswell
Founder, HBCUs Outside
Our Mission
We want to see more Black faces running trails, climbing mountains, and sitting at outdoor industry boardroom tables. We help HBCU students and alumni enjoy the natural world and become the leaders we need for a healthy planet and a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive outdoor industry.
Student Leadership
Adrian Wilson
Florida A&M University Student Ambassador
Hello, my name is Adrian Wilson from Stafford, VA, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Environmental Studies. One of my favorite hobbies, other than hiking, is cooking and watching/studying films. Ever since becoming a vegan, my relationship with food has drastically changed in a positive way. I also enjoy watching older films since that's what I grew up on. I'm a big fan of Spike Lee and Sidney Poitier. I joined HBCUs Outside because it bridges the gap between two of my favorite things, that being Historically Black Colleges & Universities and nature. I enjoy the message of trying to help black people heal their trauma/fear and history with nature.
Jarvis Dean
LeMoyne-Owen College Student Ambassador
My name is Jarvis Dean I was born and raised in Memphis TN, I’m currently a senior at Lemoyne Owen college pursuing a bachelor's degree in Political science with a minor in business. I started climbing when my brother Christopher Dean introduced me to top rope three years ago at Memphis Rox where I currently work as the shift manager. It has been an amazing journey ever since, I’ve mountaineered also I now have developed my craft quite of bit and hope to continue to learn from experts to be the best climber/ mountaineer I can be. To me, climbing is the definition of freedom and diversity I say this because anyone can enjoy the beauty and the art of climbing no matter their ethnicity or gender.
Are you a current HBCU student? We’re hiring.
“Since you took me on my first trip, I make it a priority to take all my friends outside. It changed my life.”
— Anthony McEachin, HBCUs Outside Attendee
Board of Directors
Ronald Griswell
Founder, CEO
Ron is dedicated to connecting underserved communities with the outdoors. As a graduate of North Carolina A&T, he founded HBCUs Outside to close the adventure gap for HBCU students and alumni, and to facilitate outdoor brands working for a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive industry.
Ron has guided canoe, sea kayaking and whitewater rafting experiences across the USA in addition to leading hiking and backpacking trips. He has also directed adaptive outdoor recreational sports groups for people with cognitive and physical disabilities.
An outdoor industry speaker and connector, Ron is a graduate of the Outdoor Industry Association's Skip Yowell Future Leadership Academy, a Children & Nature Network Natural Leader, past American Hiking Society Next Gen Trail Leader, and past campus ambassador for Outdoor Nation.
CJ Goulding
Board Member
CJ Goulding is a weaver, a facilitator, a community builder, an organizer, and a storyteller who invests in the growth of people, the growth of connection between people, and the growth of communities. He believes in liberation for people of color that is not based on the context of White supremacy, and is committed to organizing and redistributing power and resources in order to achieve equity and justice. His work involves connecting, investing in, and supporting leaders who are creating that change in their communities, and shaping new narratives about our connection to community and the outdoors, like "Why I Wear Jordans in the Great Outdoors."
CJ currently operates as a consultant creating pathways, providing resources and developing innovative strategies that support the outdoor and environmental sector in their evolution toward justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI). This all grows out of the soil of his professional experience in the fields of conservation and outdoor education, youth leadership development, and DEI with public land agencies, nonprofits, and for profit organizations.
Christopher Franzese
Board Member
Christopher is an advocate for the power of the outdoors to help people discover and grow their potential in all aspects of life. He currently serves as an instructor with the ADK Winter Mountaineering School and has previously guided commercial hiking, backpacking, and canoeing experiences for youth as well as adult programs.
With a BFA from the University of Oklahoma and a twenty five year career in design and marketing, he enjoys bringing his expertise in communications and brand strategy to organizations that broaden access to outdoor spaces in nurturing ways such as HBCUs Outside and Rise Outside.